Self Help / Unbundled Legal Services

Washington State Self Help Divorce Attorney

Our attorneys at the Law Offices of Susan Millican O'Brian & Associates, P.S. offer clients what is commonly known as "unbundled legal services" and guidance for self help in family law matters. The information below is designed to provide you with a brief explanation of these types of services. Contact us if you have additional questions or concerns.

Read an article in Lawyers USA about Unbundled Legal Services including an interview with Susan O'Brian

What are unbundled legal services?

“Unbundled legal services" is a way of describing how attorneys can represent clients in a limited manner. Essentially it breaks down the multiple roles an attorney plays into a smaller, simpler group of tasks. Washington State has adopted so-called "unbundling" rules permitting people to represent themselves in court without an attorney (referred to as "pro se") while still permitting attorneys to perform certain tasks for the client. The new rules are intended to help people receive the benefit of legal advice in the drafting of documents and preparation of their cases without the necessity of paying an attorney to appear in court on their behalf, unless they make specific arrangements to do so.

How do unbundled legal services differ from traditional representation?

Under the new laws, an attorney can limit the scope of his or her representation of a client. However, there are certain things the attorney should do. They should explain to you the risks and benefits of limited representation. The attorney should provide you with meaningful legal advice. In doing so, the attorney may rely upon your representation of the facts, unless he or she has reason to believe that the factual representation is false or materially insufficient. If you elect to use "unbundled" or limited representation services, you need to be aware that this type of representation results in the attorney having limited responsibilities to you. You also need to be prepared to "pay as you go" for the services you use.

With all of the freedom of unbundled legal services comes responsibility. You will be responsible for filing your pleadings on time. You will be responsible for gathering information. You will be responsible for structuring your support package. The attorney can coach you and make suggestions, but it will be your job to apply those suggestions to your dissolution and carry through. Unbundling services provides you with a great deal of power in negotiating with your spouse, but the ultimate responsibility for the outcome will be yours.

How much will the unbundled services cost?

There is no set cost for unbundled legal services. You will be charged at the attorneys' regular hourly rate for such services. Payment for the services will be due at the time, or in some cases, before you receive the service. Contact a self help divorce lawyer at our firm to discuss the specific rates for our services.

There are two basic types of representation.

Coaching: When an attorney acts as a "coach" he or she is available to answers questions the client has and give the client sound information so he or she can negotiate on their own. The client needs to know the available alternatives, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of their case and the range of likely outcomes.

Ghostwriting: In some instances a client may desire the assistance of an attorney in drafting and filing a document properly, but they wish to maintain control of their case. An attorney can assist a client in drafting these documents. The document will then meet the court's requirements, and the party will protect his or her rights and still be free to negotiate without having to work through an attorney.

Contact our office today to learn more about our unbundled legal services and do-it-yourself divorce.